Democratic candidate for Weld County Clerk and Recorder hosts official campaign kickoff

Weld County Clerk and Recorder candidate Susie Velasquez speaks to a crowd of supporters Saturday at her official campaign kickoff at Joe Molina Gallery and Studios, 930 8th Ave. Velasquez is a Democratic candidate for the position, and she is running against incumbent Republican Carly Koppes.

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Susie Velasquez officially kicked off her campaign for Weld County Clerk and Recorder on Saturday afternoon at Joe Molina Gallery and Studios, 930 8th Ave. For more information, go to her campaign website, http://www.susie4weld.com.

Since growing up helping pick beans and cherries with her siblings in Milliken, Susie Velasquez has raised her own children in Weld County.

As her grandchildren are being raised in Weld, Velasquez said it's time for some change.

"The reason that I'm running for Weld County Clerk and Recorder is because I love Weld County, but you know what? Things need to change," Velasquez said. "There are a lot of things that we need to change in Weld County."

Velasquez is the governor-appointed Weld County public trustee, and she's running as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Carly Koppes.

Velasquez's call for change was answered by applause from about 50 people at her official campaign kickoff Saturday afternoon at Joe Molina Gallery and Studios, 930 8th Ave. Velasquez didn't name her opponent in the race, but referenced Koppes while criticizing "a hostile work environment" at the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office. This past year, an independent audit of the Weld County Clerk and Recorder's Office reported issues including high turnover, favoritism and retaliation.

"It's poor leadership on her part," Velasquez said.

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Outside the clerk and recorder's office, Velasquez said she plans to establish a mobile voting registration center for community events. She also criticized the drawing of voting districts by the Clerk and Recorder and County Commissioners without input from residents, a practice she said leads to gerrymandering. Many in the crowd already sported Velasquez's campaign shirts.

"It's going to take all of us," Velasquez said.

More information

Susie Velasquez officially kicked off her campaign for Weld County Clerk and Recorder on Saturday afternoon at Joe Molina Gallery and Studios, 930 8th Ave. For more information, go to her campaign website, http://www.susie4weld.com.